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Letters

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification
It is evident that Hong Kong has enjoyed some incredible football moments this year.
Last year, the entire city was abuzz with the prospect of watching Lionel Messi and his team Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, play in Hong Kong. However, not only did Messi not take the field, he showed little interest in the fans in the stadium. There was a huge backlash.
This year, tickets for the Football Festival at Kai Tak Stadium featuring Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and AC Milan sold out within hours and the matches – one of which was the very first North London derby outside the United Kingdom – saw record attendance. Earlier in May, Manchester United played against the Hong Kong team in front of 33,000 fans.
Most recently, Hong Kong hosted the Saudi Super Cup involving Cristiano Ronaldo; the football star has a museum dedicated to his career in the city. Overall, the event was a success.
However, I felt that the tickets were overpriced; they could have been cheaper for the matches not involving Ronaldo. There wasn’t enough marketing of the event and team engagement with fans. There was over-reliance on Ronaldo as the draw of the event, and neglect of other big names such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Joao Felix, Riyad Mahrez, Kingsley Coman and others. Still, it was great to witness Ronaldo in action at last.
Hong Kong was at its peak during this time, and many in the football fraternity want to be part of this success. We have shown the world that we can bring the biggest clubs to the city but are we doing enough for local football? We really need to capitalise on this momentum and take local football to new heights.
There should be more private investment and government funding to nurture home-grown talent from the grass roots level up, improve infrastructure, rebrand and restructure our leagues and safeguard all the people involved with this sport. So, let’s all join hands and move forward with better vision and goals and a sustainable approach to the success of football culture in Hong Kong.
Yakso Dibas, Tung Chung
On same-sex partnerships, lawmakers need broader vision
The current discussion of whether Hong Kong legislators are within their rights to reject the same-sex couples bill is as relevant to the core issues at stake as the ancient satirical debate about the number of angels that could dance on the head of a pin.
Marriage is a deal, a partnership of mutual commitments, shared goals with the expectation of a lifetime’s duration. There are, of course, get-out clauses such as divorce and, subsequent to such, the right to further efforts.
Different cultures and religions have differing rituals and expectations of marriage. For some, it is a bond blessed by God and for others it is a historical ritual that traditionally was between a man and a woman. But at its core marriage is a partnership, a very special lifetime commitment that should be available to everyone. And that includes people of the same sex.
An outstanding example which should have inspired our legislators is US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a happily married man with two children and a husband.
Hong Kong’s legislators have a multitude of quotidian issues to deal with but sometimes they are in need of broader vision.
David Hall, Mid-Levels
Date scam highlights city’s wealth gap
I refer to “Hong Kong ‘lawyer’ arrested for allegedly leaving date with HK$80,000 bill” (August 30).
To the average Hong Kong resident like myself, this is surely a colossal amount to pay for a meal. Perhaps the wine they ordered was so tasty that it warranted the price. The drink I usually enjoy is Lipton green tea that comes in a HK$20 box of tea bags. It is cool and comforting enough. As people say these days, “Poverty limits one’s imagination.”
Our city has long been notorious for the big gap between the rich and the poor. Now, in addition, scammers are everywhere, online and offline. I have become extra grateful for the good, honest people I encounter every day.
Jacqueline Kwan, Sai Ying Pun


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Hong Kong society

After showcasing football stars, Hong Kong must focus on the local game

Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) celebrates during the Saudi Super Cup final football match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli in Hong Kong on August 23. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong needs more facilities to ensure football for all

Football fans enter Hong Kong Stadium for the first match of Saudi Super Cup between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad in Hong Kong on August 19. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong footballers say pitch bookings were cancelled for Ronaldo’s team to use

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates train in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Handout

Photo: Instagram/d.vos14

English Premier League clubs in Hong Kong again? Talks open to revive Asia Trophy

Fans watch the match between Liverpool and AC Milan during Hong Kong Football Festival at Kai Tak Stadium last month. Photo: Sam Tsang

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho takes on Crystal Palace in 2017’s Premier League Asia Trophy. Photo: AP

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard shoots during July’s clash with Tottenham in Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Opinion

Readers discuss the series of high-profile matches in the city, the legal framework for same-sex partnershipships, and a recent scam


Readers discuss the series of high-profile matches in the city, the legal framework for same-sex partnershipships, and a recent scam.


.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Readers discuss the series of high-profile matches in the city, the legal framework for same-sex partnershipships, and a recent scam

Readers discuss the series of high-profile matches in the city, the legal framework for same-sex partnershipships, and a recent scam